Open-world games have been wildly popular for decades, and they're known for their expansive maps that require a lot of time and effort to complete. Grinding is almost a mainstay of the genre, with plenty of RPGs forcing players to devote time to side quests or map events if they want to progress through the story. Also games like Fire Ring and Nioh 3which doesn't lock bosses behind level requirements, strongly encourages players to become stronger by completing secondary content.
While this loop can actually be quite nice, sometimes you just want one open world game without any grinding anything. In these cases, players can just do things at their own leisure, engaging in activities they enjoy without being forced to complete them. If this is the kind of experience you're after, these games should deliver just that.
Rearrange the cases in the correct US release order.
Start
Rearrange the cases in the correct US release order.
Light (5)Medium (7)Hard (10)
5
The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild
Players can explore the world at their own pace
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No specific equalization system is required
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The game puts creativity and puzzle solving ahead of rigid rules or prerequisites
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild revolutionized the concept of open worlds and brought the franchise back into the limelight in the best possible way. Instead of relying on traditional grinding mechanics to get certain items or reach certain levels, the game turns to letting players explore the huge world at their disposal to upgrade and grow stronger. Virtually every area of the game can be accessed from the start, giving players a lot of control over how they want to progress and how challenging they want their experience to be.
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Of course, areas intended for the later stages of the game will be more difficult, but if players want, they can take them on and collect items to increase their health and stamina. More than relying on requiring specific levels from players, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild choose puzzle solving and creativity.
The tears of the kingdom also qualify.
4
Ghost of Tsushima
Many upgrades are unlocked through progression
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Learning the game's combat mechanics is much more important than having all the available upgrades
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Exploration takes precedence over grinding, as it helps players discover many interesting locations and side quests
Set in a fictional version of the real Japanese island of Tsushima, Ghost of Tsushima puts players in the shoes of Jin Sakai, a nobleman who must reclaim his beloved homeland from the Mongols and save his uncle in the process. Since the game emphasizes story-driven progression and many combat upgrades require players to complete certain missions, there is no real use for grinding. As in other open-world games, players can choose to take on enemies much stronger than themselves if they want a challenge or visit lower-level areas to make their way through and gain skill points.
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IN Ghost of Tsushimaplanning, strategic moves and choosing the right battle stance, as well as learning how to dodge incoming enemy attacks, are far more important than having the highest damage katana upgrade or hundreds of arrows. Exploration is also a key aspect of the game, as it allows players to discover shrines, hot springs, and other points of interest.
Ghost of Yotei largely follows in the shoes of its predecessor.
3
Batman: Arkham Knight
The game provides players with all the tools they need
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Gadgets are unlocked through game progression
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The game rewards skill over upgrades and requires critical thinking to solve puzzles
Takes on the role of Batman again, i Batman: Arkham Knight, players must save Gotham from the forces of villains such as the Scarecrow and the Arkham Knight, whose identity is a mystery. The game features a large open area of Gotham that players can explore however they wish, and is filled with many stories, side quests, and various optional activities. Batman: Arkham Knight rewards skill over upgrades and forces players to learn how to chain their attacks for maximum effectiveness.
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This title also requires players to use more than their fists, as puzzle solving plays an important role in the game's progression. Gadgets and some of the key upgrades available to Batman are unlocked automatically as players progress through the story, so there's no need to grind – things come when they have to.
2
The Witcher 3
Upgrades and Mutagen Slots need to be unlocked, but the game is so big that there is no need for grinding
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The game is so big that grinding isn't necessary, even when leveling up is often the right choice
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Side missions are interesting and complex, so skipping them is not recommended
Says it The Witcher 3 requiring no grinding would probably raise debate, as there is a strong upgrade system unlocked through skill points and victories over monsters and other creatures. However, the game is so large that it's natural to gain skill points and level up as players progress through the game. Even those who just want to focus on the main story quests and leave the awesome side quests behind should have no problem unlocking the abilities they want without ever feeling like they have to grind for them.
Also, side quests are so well done that skipping them is not only discouraged, but almost impossible, as they are all over the continent and have the power to draw players without them even noticing. So, in any case, while leveling up is recommended in The Witcher 3it is unlikely that players will ever need to repeat a single task to do so.
1
Basically every Rockstar open-world game ever (or, let's say, Red Dead Redemption 2)
Except for online versions, Rockstar's open-world games never require grinding
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While some games include money or stat systems, mandatory repetitive farming is virtually non-existent in Rockstar's open world game
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As long as players collect the occasional resource Red Dead Redemption 2they don't have to worry about anything
- GTA online and Red Dead Online are the main exceptions, as grinding is central to their game loop. Undead Nightmare is also a bit of a grind, though still a blast.
Rockstar has been at the forefront of the open-world genre since its modern emergence, and the developer has never forced to grind on people looking for a single-player experience. Be that as it may GTA 3, San Andreas, Bully, GTA 5or both Red Dead Redemption titles, the games actively encourage players to proceed at their own pace, allowing them to completely ignore optional content if they just want to fast-forward through the main story. Just to be clear, the side quests or world events still give rewards, even if it's just a memorable story, but they're not tied to progression or player strength in any way.
Let's take GTA 5 as an example. The game has no stat walls, and all the means needed to advance the story are obtained naturally through mandatory means. Players can start businesses to get more money, but this is completely optional and will not affect the story. RDR2 is similar, albeit with a slightly heavier focus on resource management. Players should hunt, craft, and upgrade their camps, but they don't have to repeatedly engage with these mechanics if they don't want to. Bully and LA Noire are even better examples, as they both focus almost exclusively on their linear stories.
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